Transport officials in Karnataka have stepped up checks on private buses following complaints about excessive fares and other violations during the Ganesh festival travel period.
The five day enforcement drive, conducted from September 11 to September 15, resulted in 3756 cases against private bus operators. Officials also seized 33 vehicles after identifying various violations during inspections.
The action followed complaints from passengers who alleged that some private operators were charging unusually high fares during the holiday rush. With demand for seats increasing around the festival, concerns over ticket prices became a major issue for travellers.
One complaint reportedly involved passengers being charged as much as Rs 7,000 for a journey from Bengaluru to Hubballi. The transport department received several complaints of this nature and subsequently intensified inspections across the state.
Officials checked a total of 14987 private buses during the operation, including buses providing interstate services. The inspections covered different aspects of operation, including permits, fare related issues and tax compliance.
The enforcement teams reportedly found violations involving permit conditions and alleged excess fare collection. Cases were registered according to the violations identified during document checks and physical inspections.
Tax related violations were also among the issues examined by the authorities. The inspection drive was therefore broader than the complaints about festival fares and covered several regulatory requirements applicable to private bus operators.
The operation generated a total collection of Rs 73.6 lakh. Of this amount, around Rs 40.3 lakh was collected as penalties, according to information provided by the transport department.
Passenger luggage was another area where violations were reportedly identified. Officials found instances of operators not following the prescribed rules while carrying luggage along with passengers.
The transport department said public complaints played an important role in triggering the enforcement action. Complaints received from travellers were examined along with the records and conditions found during inspections.
Some complaints have also been forwarded to the respective registering authorities for further action. This means cases that require additional examination can be dealt with by the authority responsible for the particular vehicle or operator.
The festival period often creates a sudden increase in demand for intercity bus services. Bengaluru sees particularly heavy movement as people travel to their hometowns and other destinations during consecutive holidays.
When government bus services have limited availability, many travellers turn to private operators. Higher demand during such periods can also put pressure on ticket availability and fares, making enforcement important for passengers who have limited travel options.
Complaints about private bus fares during festivals and long weekends have surfaced repeatedly in Karnataka. Travellers often report that prices rise considerably when demand increases, particularly on popular routes connecting Bengaluru with major cities and districts.
The latest enforcement drive shows that authorities have taken action against a significant number of vehicles and operators. However, the actual impact on passengers will also depend on continued inspections and action against violations identified through complaints.
For travellers, keeping booking records and ticket details can be useful when raising a complaint about suspected overcharging or other service issues. Such information can help officials examine individual cases.
The transport department has indicated that inspections and follow up action are being handled according to the nature of each violation. Complaints requiring action by another registration authority are being forwarded accordingly.
The large number of cases recorded during the five day operation highlights the scale of the checks carried out during the festival rush. With passenger movement remaining high during holiday periods, private bus operations are likely to continue receiving attention from transport officials.
